With the shift in the trees from summer green to autumnal red, orange, and yellow, Hobokenites can appreciate the crisp outdoors while also taking in the local color of the art scene during “Third Sundays,” a monthly gallery walk. The next scheduled gallery walk is Oct. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. Visitors can walk at their own pace and explore what the city has to offer.

Cultivating art appreciation

Going into its seventh month, the city of Hoboken launched Third Sundays in April as a collaborative effort to revive the local arts scene and encourage a new appreciation for what the city has to offer, especially with the opening of four new galleries in the past year and a half.

“The art walk celebrates the resurgent Hoboken art scene,” said Al Barsky, owner of Barsky Gallery, which had its grand opening in March.

“This [gallery walk] event directly supports the galleries and its artists in an effort to make Hoboken a main art destination.”

Gallery walks like the one in Hoboken have helped cultivate culture in other US cities on both the West and East coasts like Portland, Ore., which has a once-a-month gallery night “First Thursday,” as well as Portland, Maine, which features “First Friday.”

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“Galleries carefully select works of art which are worth viewing and discussing.” – Al Barsky

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The New York Times recently featured the “Oakland Art Murmur,” a once-a-month gallery walk in Oakland, Calif. that began six years ago and has grown to attract 20,000 people.

“We are expecting the attendance to grow as Hoboken galleries will become the go-to place for all art collection needs,” said Barsky.

Creating an art collection

The Hoboken Third Sundays gallery walk can provide residents and visitors with an introduction to art or an opportunity to expand upon their existing art collection.

“It is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, learn about the arts and how to start your own collection,” said Barsky. “Most galleries have a professional staff who will answer any question and guide you to creating the most out of your art experience.”

Galleries will schedule special events and presentations on Third Sundays such as artist talks, demonstrations, music performances, and other special activities. Last month PVS Gallery timed an opening reception for the exhibit “Spirits, Strings, and Charlatans,” with works by Sofia Bachvarova, while hob’art had a gallery talk on their exhibit “Alternate Realities,” which featured artists Ann Kinney, Tom Egan, and Don Sichler.

“Galleries carefully select works of art which are worth viewing and discussing,” noted Barsky. “Many artists, both local and international, are becoming not only the talk of the town, but also are finding a new home with local residents and guests.”

This month Hob’art will host a talk “Les Poupees=The Dolls,” with Ibou Ndoye, Liz Cohen, and Willie Baez. The Hoboken Historical Museum has a special exhibit “Hoboken from afar: Digital Photomontages,” by Roslyn Rose among other events.

Barsky Gallery will introduce the vivid imaginary landscapes of French-born painter Aymar DeVillele, new works on paper by Margherita Martinelli, and the sensual photography of River Clark.

Third Sundays will continue to be offered throughout the winter season as well.

Taking a walk on the art side

The gallery walk is self-guided and can begin and end wherever is convenient, according to Barsky. Residents and visitors can tour the following 10 galleries and art spaces during the next “Third Sunday” on Oct. 21:

• BAMA Gallery: 946 Bloomfield St.

• Barsky Gallery: 49 Harrison St.

• Gallery 1200: 1200 Washington St.

• Historic Museum Gallery: 1301 Hudson St.

• hob’art- Monroe Art Center: 720 Monroe St.

• Issyra Gallery: 313 First St.

• PVS Gallery: 49 Harrison St.

• Right Angle- Downtown: 320 Washington St.

• Right Angle- Uptown: 1108 Washington St.

• Tresorie: 1204 Washington St.

Third Sundays is supported by the City of Hoboken. Visitors take their own route by following the map available online at: www.hobokengallerywalk.com.